Where Eagles Soar

The juvenile Bald Eagle who was rescued on June 5 was released on June 22 into the wild.

Thanks to the quick thinking of Greg Gress of the Sullivan’s Island Water and Sewer Department, and Mary Pringle, volunteer with the Center for Birds of Prey, the juvenile Bald Eagle that fell into one of the Sewer Department’s drying beds this past June 5 has recovered and was released on June 22. The eagle was able to gain weight during its recuperation and was in fine condition on returning to its natural habitat.

Jim Elliott of the Center for Birds of Prey was pleased to facilitate the bird’s release, which coincided with a visit by a group of donors called the Johanna Foundation. The eagle flew up and then came and passed back over the crowd with wings spread. It was a wonderful moment.

Because of past problems with electric lines involving bald eagles who live in the wild on the Center’s property, SCE&G recently reworked the power poles along the Intracoastal Waterway in the area that goes up toward McClellanville. The modified lines are set up to avoid eagle electrocution incidents due to their wide wing span.

The Medical Clinic at the Center for Birds of Prey has released more than 100 rehabilitated bald eagles over the past 20 years of its operation. This medical center is part of the overall Avian Conservation Center, a nonprofit organization, which also includes its oiled bird treatment facility, an education program which is open to the public on Sewee Road Thursday through Saturday, and research and field studies that benefit the state and the entire nation.

For more information about visiting, schedule of guided tours, flight demonstrations, admission specials, etc., go to their website at www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org. If you find an injured bird of prey, please contact the Center immediately at 971-7474 to report it.